FOOTBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Plainedge Bobcat Football League is a member of the Nassau-Suffolk Football League (NSFL.com). The rules we abide by are set by the NSFL.

Our season begins on August 1st and ends around the Thanksgiving holiday. The month of August is our preseason and is used for practice and scrimmage sessions. Practice days and times are determined by the head coach. Typically, there are many practices in August, because of vacations, etc. It is highly recommended that your child attend as many practices as possible. This is the time that the children learn the game. Once school begins, the practice schedule decreases. However, it is very important that your child attends practice. There will typically be three practices per week. Once games begin, if your child has an unexcused absence, he will not start that week. Two unexcused practices and he will not play that week. The children work hard to review game strategies and every practice is important. We play an eight game season and every team makes the playoffs with the exception of the Peanuts (5 year olds). Away games are played in different towns, and it is the sole responsibility of the parents to get the players to the game.

The 5 year "Peanut Division" is an instructional tackle program and the teams play 8 on 8.

The maximum weight limit for each division is as follows:

Peanut Division (5 year olds): 75 lbs.
Pee Wee (6-7 years old): 90 lbs.
Midgets (8 - 9): 110 lbs.
Ponies (10 - 11): 130 lbs.
Seniors (12 - 13): 155 lbs.

THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!

If your child cannot make the weight of his age group there are only two options:

A) The child will move up to the next division and only upon approval of the Parent and the President and Vice Presidents .
B) The child does not play.

Ages: your child will be considered to be the age attained on November 30th of this year. Again, NSFL does not allow for any exceptions to this rule.

Validation: All players will be required to attend a "Weigh In" at a time and place determined by the NSFL. All players must supply proof of age, either an original birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport or a previously issued NSFL ID card. The players will be weighed to determine eligibility, photographed and issued an NSFL identification card. Failure to attend this weigh in will result in not being eligible to play for that season.

Refund Policy:

Prior to August 1 - Full registration refund
Between August 1 and August 15 - 50% registration refund
After August 15 - No registration refund
** For All Online Registration, the above refund policy applies minus any online processing fees.

Fund Raising: Our Guardians league is a non-profit organization and each player will be asked to do their fair share of fund raising. We typically sponsor a candy sale and it is mandatory to participate. In addition, there are numerous tasks that need to be accomplished which benefit the children of the league. We greatly appreciate any volunteers!!

CHEERLEADING RULES AND REGULATIONS

The information provided in these Rules and Regulations are to be followed throughout the football and competition season. As you know, the purpose of our squad is twofold. We cheer at football games and we compete in Cheerleading competitions.

Cheerleaders may choose to participate at the games level only. However, if you are participating in competitions; all games, practices and competitions are mandatory. If there are three (3) unexcused practices or games are missed the cheerleader will not be allowed to cheer in any competitions this year. Summer Practice - Future practices will be held at the High School or John West. Days and times will be announced. All girls must wear gym shorts (no buttons or zippers), T-shirt, sneakers (no platform) and hair in a ponytail. Water bottles with the name clearly labeled on it should be brought to each practice. Summer practices are not mandatory but please make an effort to attend. Body Piercing - Cheerleaders are not permitted to wear any jewelry during any game, practice or competition. This includes all body piercing (whether it is visible or not). Competition Season Practice - (Competition season starts the first practice after school is in session). ALL PRACTICES ARE MANDATORY. All practices indoor/outdoor during competition season are closed to any spectators. The adult coaches are at every practice.

• Where – We will stay on the summer schedule until a gym is assigned. We will not know what gym, day or time until September.

• Uniform – Same as stated above, as the weather gets cold, leggings or sweats are permitted to be worn over shorts but must be removed when the cheerleader enters the gym.

Any cheerleader not dressed for practice will not be allowed to practice and will be counted as a missed practice.

• Missed Practice - IF ANY PRACTICE IS MISSED DURING THE WEEK OF A COMPETITION, THE CHEERLEADER WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO CHEER IN ANY COMPETITION THAT WEEKEND.

• Extra Practices – Any additional practices or extra help will be added as needed.

• Warm Ups – They are an important aspect of cheerleading. All cheerleaders are required to warm-up prior to participating in practice.

Car Pools- Please make arrangements with your car pool buddy regarding information and memos that are sent home. All memos are important and we want to make sure each parent receives the information. Football games- Attendance at Football games is mandatory.

Uniforms; Skirt, black lollies and black T-shirt or sweat shirt, sneakers (no platforms), ponytail, no jewelry. In very cold weather, please have cheerleader dressed appropriately (sweats, hats, coats and gloves).Behavior; No eating while the game is in progress. No cheerleader will be permitted to cheer with food. No cheerleader will be permitted to leave the field without a parent or an adult coach.

Competitions- Attendance is mandatory, if a cheerleader is sick, please let one of the adult coaches know as soon as possible, since every cheerleader has a vital role and formations will have to be changed. Uniforms; Competition uniforms, Competition sneakers, bodysuits, lollies, socks and hair accessories. Behavior; All cheerleaders must stay with their squad during the entire competition and on e parent must be present in the gym at all times. Schedule; Competition season runs from mid October through mid November. As soon as we get the schedule you will receive it. Vacations; Please notify the adult coach of any family vacation plans during competition season (October – November).

Refund Policy:

Prior to August 1st - Full Registration Refund
Between August 1st and August 15th - 50 % Registration Refund
After August 15th - No Registration Refund
** For All Online Registration, the above refund policy applies minus any online processing fees.